Prosecutors launch commission probe

Sat, Dec 22, 2012 - Page 3

Taipei prosecutors and agents from the Agency Against Corruption yesterday launched an investigation into allegations that the National Youth Commission (NYC) forged winner lists for its events.

Democratic Progressive Party legislators Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Liu Chao-hao (劉櫂豪) made the allegation earlier this week, with two students from Huafan University saying they had never taken part in the competitions, but their names appeared on the list of winners.

Investigators yesterday morning raided four locations, including offices and residences of contractor Chen Yung-hsuan (陳永璿), who was responsible for organizing the events.

Investigators said they seized some documents and computers.

Chen was summoned for questioning by prosecutors at the time of the search. The questioning was ongoing as of press time.

Separately, the commission held a press conference yesterday afternoon to report on its investigation of the matter.

NYC Deputy Minister Lin Chen-jhang (林辰璋) said the commission found that up to two-thirds of the listed names of prize winners in three contests had been falsified.

Three other events were also suspected of having falsified lists of prize winners, he said, adding that the commission has forwarded related information to prosecutors to aid their investigation.

According to the commission, the budget for the six events under a project tender amounted to NT$2.4 million (US$80,000), of which NT$580,000 was included as an expense, to buy prizes such as gift vouchers, iPads and LCD TVs.

Lin said the commission has handed down disciplinary measures to the officials involved for an administrative oversight.